Cop Sues After Free Starbucks Spills On Him

A police officer is suing Starbucks for $50,000 (£33,000) after he was scalded when a free cup of coffee spilled in his lap.

Matthew Kohr's lawyers say he suffered burns, blisters and emotional damage from the ordeal in January 2012.

According to the lawsuit, the North Carolina police lieutenant's coffee cup collapsed after the lid popped off.

He had been given the beverage at a Starbucks in the city of Raleigh for free because he was a uniformed officer.

Mr Kohr claims the spillage caused such severe stress that it aggravated his Crohn's disease, a condition affecting the digestive system, resulting in surgery to remove part of his intestine.

The lawsuit also claims Mr Kohr's wife, Melanie, lost a "source of emotional support, her social companion and her intimate partner".

WRAL-TV reports that Starbucks' legal team is arguing the coffee was not subject to full warranty because Mr Kohr had not paid for the beverage.

Jury selection is under way.